The Rhetoric of Prejudice and Public Policy Regarding the American Indian.

Galloway, Margaret E.

This paper presents a review of written information concerning the American Indian that reveals stereotypes, prejudicial statements, and misrepresentation. While manifest destiny was the policy of the government during the late 1800s, social prejudice was used to develop a perception of the American Indians that justified removing them from their lands. Once the tribes became relatively subdued and restricted to tribal lands, social prejudice was expanded to reduce any influence Indians might possess. Older written documents, as well as contemporary literature, have maintained stereotypes of the Indians which depict them in a negative way and deny them the opportunity to excel. While many American Indians have won considerable acclaim in the fine arts, literature, crafts, and sports, prejudice remains. American Indians choosing to remain among their people on tribal lands are viewed as outcasts by society. Organizations representing the government to business groups have appointed themselves as caretakers of the Indians, frequently doing more harm than good to the people and their resources. The general thrust of public policy has been to force the American Indian to become a part of the cultural mainstream. By constantly forcing the Indians away, from their culture, society has made the Indian the United States' most persistent refugee. (Author/SM)